Rotorua Carnival

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 105, 24 December 1931, Page 6

Rotorua Carnival

TO-NIGHT'S PROGRAMME

The reign of his Majesty King Carnival will be proelaimed from the steps of the Victoria Institute in Arawa Street to-night. Accom'panied by his Queen and a brilliant and merry court his Majesty will theii proceed in procession through the streets to the strains of carnival music and amid the plandits of his subjects, who will express their joy in his accession by dancing in the streets from 10 p.m. onwards.

To-day is the day to which all young people of both sexes and all ages have been looking forward for the past 12 months Sharp at 10 p.m. the Town Crier will proclaim the commencement of the reign of his Majesty King Cari nival, who will be gorgeously arrayed and accompanied by his Queen, his jesters and a merry court. Headed by mounted police his Majesty and court will parade the streets to the acclamation of the populace. Incidentally a message received by telepathy from his Majesty's chamberlain and publicity agent suggests that from the moment the procession leaves the steps of the Victoria Institute any citizen who is caught in any act of labour or other mercenary occupation will have cause to regret his or her avarice. Mounted on a snow-white palfrey of not more than 18 hands, and of rar'e and ancient vintage, ICing Carnival's queen will, by some strange metamorphosis, become Lady Godiva of grateful memory. Woe betide any of his Majesty's subjects who cust their' eyes in the wrong direction at this solemn moment. Unhappily the King has suspicions that Peeping Tom is on the warpath. Already his Majesty's spies have ascertained that the ancient telescope used by Captain Coolc when he espied | the Bay of Plenty has been abstracted .from the place where it is preserved, if any, by a tall young man in the town. Fighting for the possession of the telescope is prohibited. Immediately after the procession, dancing and merry-making- will be 1 the order of the night and let any j citizen beware if he fails to answer j the call to arms. The password of • the evening is "Excuse Me." ; Any person rash enough to attempt

a retreat before midnight may eirpeet no mercy. Thanks to the co-operation of Mr. Fred Ansell, of Auckland, with King Carnival, further fun is expected during the week. Mr. Ansell whose associations with the wild doings of the Hongi Club are not unknown, will more than probably, before the Carnival is over, give citizens of Rotorua and visitors further cause to remember him. As Alfonso of Spain, who, with his merry troop of Picadores, Toreadors, Matadors and flower girls, he will cause considerablo disturbance. The prospect of a bull fight sliould certainly appeal and the sight of numerous beautiful flower girls tripping daintily through the streets on the last day of the, year, in addition to the usual festivities of New Year's Eve, will force even the pessimist jto forswear his pessimism. By eourtesy of the Spanish Prisoner's unrivalled service for spreading news the Carnival organiser learns that owing to an epidemic of sleepiness in Spain hist Majesty desires for New Year's Eve more Matadores and Toreadors. Already several of the residents of Rotorua have generously come forward and offered to complete the court, but more are needed. Costumes for the parts are available at the organiser's office for a small f ee. Copies of the programme for the whole Carnival are now being distributed throughout the town. A special request is made by the organiser that all university students, especially from Auckland, rally to the assistance of Alfonso and his court. King Carnival extends to all residents and visitors a hearty welcome to his lcingdom and assures them of a merry Yuletide.